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History of EMDRIA

The EMDR International Association
(EMDRIA) is a professional association where EMDR therapy practitioners and EMDR
therapy researchers seek the highest standards for the clinical use of EMDR.
EMDR therapy is an accepted psychotherapy by leading mental health organizations
throughout the world for the treatment of a variety of symptoms and
conditions. This website provides information to the greater EMDR
community including clinicians, researchers, and the public that our
members serve.

1995

The EMDR International Association
was originally formed in 1995, as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization,
to provide professional support for clinicians trained in EMDR therapy. EMDRIA
was charged with setting standards for training, providing ongoing
professional education, providing a forum for discussion and the
development of EMDR therapy, and encouraging quality research. The organization
began with 473 Charter Members and a very dedicated core of volunteers
and was managed by an Association Management Company out of Phoenix,
Arizona.

1996

The 1st EMDRIA Conference was held in Denver.

The 1st issues of the EMDRIA Newsletter were published.

1997

EMDRIA opened its own office in
Austin, Texas, and hired its first (part-time) Executive Director, Carol
York, MSSW, LMSW-ACP. There was an administrative staff of three.

1998

With the desire to add additional
member benefits and programs to the organization, it was clear to the
Board that EMDRIA needed to change its IRS designation to a 501(c)(6)
professional membership organization. So, in January of 1998, EMDRIA
filed for a 501(c)(6) designation with the IRS. This new designation
allowed EMDRIA to provide many functions for members that were otherwise
prohibited as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Regional Coordinator and Regional Meeting program was formally launched.

The administrative staff grows to four.

1999

EMDRIA launched its professional development programs, which
consist of the EMDRIA Credit Program (continuing education in EMDR), and
the Certification Program, consisting of designations of Certified
Therapist in EMDR and Approved Consultant in EMDR.

The EMDRIA Presentation Packet was created for people wishing to make presentations on EMDR.

The brochure, "EMDR for Professionals" was created.

The administrative staff grows to five.

2001

The Clinician Support Program was formed, as well as several EMDRIA SIG's (Special Interest Groups).

Pre-Conference was added to the EMDRIA Conference.

The EMDRIA website was redesigned.

The administrative staff grows to six.

2002

The EMDRIA Board of Directors invited an external organizational
review by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). ASAE
evaluated every aspect of EMDRIA and made many recommendations to
strengthen the internal structure, to safeguard the integrity of the
association, and to help develop programs that would better serve the
needs of the members. Those recommendations were implemented.

The administrative staff grows to seven.

2003

The Board also elected to change to
a policy model of governance. Policy Governance clearly outlines the
roles of the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and the
guidelines by which the association will be governed. From this solid
base, EMDRIA is continuing to fulfill its Mission.

Masters Series was added to the EMDRIA Conference.

The first EMDRIA E-News was sent.

2004

The final recommendation of ASAE
was implemented, which was the hiring of a full-time professional
Executive Director, Scott Blech, CAE.

EMDRIA launched its first Listserv, Clinician Support Program Listserv, for those involved in disaster relief work.

EMDRIA introduces a Toll-Free telephone number 866.451.5200.

2005

EMDRIA conducts its first Member Survey and receives great response.

Distance Learning programs made available for EMDRIA Credits

2006

Client brochure "What is EMDR?" made available in Spanish.

EMDRIA launched their newly redesigned website in March.

EMDRIA has grown to more than 4,000 members and continues to develop new services and programs of interest to its members.